Mexico Month II

CULTURAL DIFFERENCES PART II

Q: What did one toilet say to the other toilet?

A: You look flushed!

Yep, I took my camera in the bathroom with me. 

This joke also has to do with a cultural difference here in Mexico. Many less developed countries do not have adequate septic systems, therefore TP must not be flushed but thrown away. I am constantly forgetting this!! So they can blame the gringa if and when the toilet malfunctions ;)  

Other news ... Two weeks ago, we went on yet another epic hiking trip in Tepoztlan where we jumped from a waterfall and swung from vines hanging from the tress! True Tarzan-style. I got a really nice panoramic view of the mountains from a valley we were walking through on our way there (above). We lounged in the sun, had a fire, roasted some elote (corn), and breathed in the nature. For the few hours we spent there, I couldn't help but think that life doesn't get too much better than this. I'm a lucky lady! 

A very friendly butterfly drying her wings

Since this blog wouldn't be complete without me talking about food, another cultural difference is meal time(s). I feel like I might've already mentioned this, but Mexicans typically eat a light breakfast, a heavy lunch between 2 and 4 pm, siesta, and then have a light dinner around 9 or 10 pm. Some new friends of mine, Stephen and Brenden, are here from the States studying Spanish at Cuauhnahuac. They live close to the school with a senora who cooks them a delicious "comida" every day. Comida means food, but it's also the name of the middle-of-the-day meal. Sunday comida is especially importante! They had me over for homemade chile relleno last week. Roasted pablano pepper, stuffed with cheese, battered and fried, topped with tomato sauce ... yuuuummm!! I'm convinced that anything cooked by a Mom or Grandma is just better no matter what it is. 

What else can I talk to you about?? (Teaching has taught me to get really good at filling awkward breaks/silences) Oh! The school is hosting a Halloween/Day of the Dead party on November 2nd which I'm really excited about! I've decided to go all blood-and-gore and be a zombie. Photos of that soon to come! Here, Day of the Dead is more important than Halloween, although most people still celebrate both.   

Carlie showin' the guys how to build a fire. Das right!!

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember family and friends who have died. It takes place on November 1 in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints'/All Souls' Day. Often, families will prepare alters or the favorite foods of the loved ones who have died and may visit their graves. It's a really beautiful tradition and seems to add a reverent balance to the fun and recreation of Halloween.  

One more thing I have to mention is about this Mexican bakery thing ... There is a panaderia right down the road from our apartment. I actually have a small crush on the baker (don't tell). Anyway, the baked goods look something like those in the picture to the left. Besides that giant pink thing, everything looks good, right? Key word: looks. Taste ... not so much. Please note, this is just my personal opinion. When I bite into a donut, I want it to be sweet (too sweet). I want it to be slightly flaky and maybe even a little greasy. And I want it fresh. I do NOT want it to be dry, baked, burned and sweetened with some kind of exotic fruit. Whyyy, Panaderia Man??!! We could've had something!! But alas, these are all things that one must get used to when living abroad. A Mexican donut is not an American donut (though churros are still delicious here!). So I can complain about it or I can eat my savory guayaba donut and be happy that at least I got to have a chat with the cutie behind the counter ;) 

"The core of mans' spirit comes from new experiences ..." - Christopher McCandless